dslyank

Watched the game with sound off. Besides hating brook announcers; I felt I could call my own play-by-play. Good start, went cold, nice play by Clark, bad play by Clark, Rizzutto hits 3 in a row, Rizzutto misses 3 in a row, UA misses lay-up, brook dunks, brook blocks shot, brook gets offensive rebound, UA gets offensive rebound, UA gets shot blocked or travels or loses ball off their finger tips, Healy GETS HOT too little too late, UA loses by 3 when heave on the buzzer rims out. I swear from the first tip to the last minute I kept calling out to my wife UA would lose by 3. You all know I'm NOT a basketball genius; but anyone who has watched this team all year could have easily predicted how this game would transpire. Ever the UA optimist, I HOPED for a better result; but it is what it is. For those that follow, see you on the LAX thread; ALL others HAVE A GREAT SUMMER. Hope Will is on the recruit trail this AM, not that he does not deserve a day or so off, BUT.

100% agree. Have been saying this for two years. IMHO it has hurt the game. Not necessarily saying go back to the old rule; but it NEEDS to be changed and/or modified. I know I sound like a broken record but IT HAS NOT made for a faster pace game [which was its primary stated purpose.] With all the subbing, offensive and defensive shifting and deliberate offenses, the game has for me been less fun to watch. Getting as bad as watching women's lacrosse--no offense to the ladies themselves; ONLY the rules they play under.

WOW, no one wants to talk about todays game. Not a single post?? You ALL haven't given up already --have you?? OK I' bite. Two comments: [1] UA will play much better today than they did against umass. Don't know if that is enough for a W but BETTER IMHO. [2] For what it's worth take a look @ the AmEast schedule today. Other than bingo no one playing a single team of consequence. After today UA will have played a 15,5&,7 (depending on the week voted) and two teams getting some top 35 mentionings. brook & vermont have played NO ONE, umbc & hartford some medians. bingo & massL have at least scheduled some upper echelons. Anyhow, I think/hope what this mean, when UA gets to league play they will be tested TOUGH. [3] sorry one more. Anyone know how to watch today other than a BTN+ subscription (I guess I could buy and then immediately cancel, but such a pain.) ??

Update to comment I made previously: This year Harford had a 1st & 3rd team GRAD transfer; Mass Lowell had a 2nd team selection; and Hartford and New Hampshire each had 1 on the all defensive team. As in previous years, UA ZERO grad transfer impact players. Hansen was a nice piece once he learned the system, but like our previous grad transfers, NOT what you would expect from a 5th year player. IMHO if you are going to give out a one year schollie, he better be able to step in and be MUCH MORE than supporting cast.

By the way Luke. really appreciate you joining the blog. Love to have the expert analysis of former players. As I said I'm not an expert. I post opinions, frustrations and game reports, but ALWAYS include IMHO and ALWAYS welcome and encourage ALL others dissenting or otherwise.. So THANKS for your contributions and input.

Luke I’m 70,never played or coached lacrosse, neither have my sons; so I guess it is ok for me to post anonymously. And I think you are out of line asking 2018 to reveal himself and his son. He should enjoy the same anonymity as ALL posters on this blog. Anyhow, I enjoyed watching you play in your day!

Can someone explain with all the weapons UA has; WHY THE #%^ CAN’T THEY SCORE MAN-up or even two up????????

Story of today's game. umass better offense, better defense, better goal tending,and won ground ball battle 50 to 0, and about the same at face-off. Obviously un-official stats on my part; but check it out when officially available, I'm not far off. ps did i mention we could NOT clear the ball. Another stat I'd love to check--maybe UA all time low clear rate?

from article in today's Schenectady Gazette. In article Marr gives praise to the 6 on 6 D.

I HOPE the score is 2 - 2 @ the 19:00 minute mark. Be embarrassing for either team to miss the freebee.

Harvard scored mostly on UA mistakes, face breaks and some lackadaisical goal keeping admitting so by Siekierski. A senior goalie should be able to make more than one save in 2 ½ periods by accident. Admittedly many of those shots were due to UA errors and face breaks {one by Siek's own unforced error.} The fact that Sierkierski made 2 or 3 saves on point blank shots ultimately SAVING the game, goes to show the skill level which he did NOT display earlier. Not saying the team is all the way back; but the offense is almost there IMHO, and the D is getting better all the time. The ride has been impressive but like a full court press in basketball, when it fails you often leave yourself open to 3 on 2, 2 on 1, 1 on none fast breaks. Tighten this up some, cut down on the unforced errors and get Sierkierski to playing 60 minutes like he is capable (which in my opinion he has not done for 60 minutes in any of the first 3 games) and the team will be just fine. Also think today's test in a sense is more critical than Maryland. UA even when bad seems to compete against the elite teams, I'm more concerned with what they do against teams "AT" UA's level, which historically Umass has been. ps UA one of only two teams in the country not to give up a man down goal (must be doing something right here) Wanted to make the short trip to mass today, but the prediction of rain later scared me away, even though its bright sunshine as I write now. Will watch on LSN.

I am worried about two players for next year. Healy is Healy and his shot will come back, no worry there. I am worried about Malachi, because he is such an enigma. I am NOT a coach and never played at any high level; but I simply have no clue what do do with him. I hope the staff can figure it out and get him to play to his potential. Minimally I would think he needs to take 1,000,000,000 outside shots between now and next year. Not saying he would become a threat from out there, but if he could make a few, would give him some room to get to the hoop and also make it so other teams can't just completely lay-off him. Worried about Hutchinson. After averaging close to 10 pts per game after the first three second half AmEast games; the last 4 have been 3-4-2-0. And more troubling is even when he was scoring his shooting % not particularly good and obviously even worse the last 4. Did he just RUN out of gas; OR was he good when other teams did not know what he had and ignored him. Once the D tightened on him did the true Hutch emerge?? As for the rest of the returning team NO WORRIES--they are ALL BAD (except maybe a mediocre for Rizzutto).

Have not watched the re-play yet but the TU had one of their best game reviews ever. Those who know me, know the TU and i go way back and NOT in a complimentary way; so I do not give this praise lightly. I would post the link if I knew how and will play with it and see if I can get it done; but a few highlights: Siekaski had a total of ONE save in the first half. He admitted to being a little lackadaisical and un-focused. The meeting with Marr was very encouraging; with Marr saying you are definitely going back-in after you get a rest to get your head together. He returned totally determined to NOT screw up. {had 7 saves from there; including some spectacular ones including 2-3 after D-break downs.} Ua won 12-19 first half face-offs. Harvard inserted a fogo who had been struggling and the struggling fogo won all but one in the second half. Got to give Marr and staff credit for reacting to both situations and making in-game decisions and corrections. Even though UA was un-successful with their fogo moves; pulling Sierkaski probably saved the game. ps Heller held his own during the switch: 2-saves 2 allowed 50% not awful.

I have too watch the replay, but I also thought Siekirski gave up 2 to 3 goals that were savable. I thought the 6 on 6 D played a lot better today. A couple of "olay's"; but not nearly as bad as in game one and even two. In the first half the majority of harvard's goals were on fast breaks NOT against the D-set. One goal when Siekirski passed the ball directly to a defender with NO UA player anywhere near the pass. A goal in the 4th came after Ron John with no one on him just dropped the ball at the 40 and harvard picked it up and ran in un-contested for a goal. UA did cause 2-3 20 second violations and the same amount amount of shot clock violations. The break away goals were pretty much un-stoppable; but overall I thought the D (especially 6 on 6) was very good today. Maybe I change my mind when I watch the replay??

Story of UA's season in a nutshel?? Josh makes his freebee; UA misses its freebee. Vermont wins game by 2?????????

I guess you are right. I was a high school teacher and pretty much hated some of my principals. Just not sure if it is a good thing in a coaching and assistant coach context.. Also to clarify: not sure if the SOURCE does not like Brown and making claims about Pelletier also not liking Brown; or if indeed Pelletier initialed the comment. Anyhow, I agree with Clack. Keep Iati not as #2, get rid of the rest. Re-assess ALL players.

OK. I know we are not suppose to name names; but between you and me and the blog, Knox and Pelletier need to be sacked! Knox played 4 years for UA was a total liability offensively, never averaged double digits in a season and for his career under 5 per game in points and rebounds [I did not look these up but speak only from memory, but if you check, probably even worse than I recall.] Always told he was a good defender, which I cannot confirm or deny. He was hired as coordinator of basketball operations, which is basically a clerk position. Elevated to coach based on being a good clerk and bad player?? While I am not saying you have to be a good player to be a good coach; but UA offensively bad and so-so defensively COINCIDENTAL?? Now with Pelletier I have to be careful with what I say; but I heard from a very reliable source that Pelletier does NOT like coach Brown AT ALL. Now as many have pointed out, staff different opinions and strategies is/are a GOOD thing and healthy for a team. But for an assistant to say he does NOT LIKE his boss is IMHO un-healthy. I wanted to point this out to the source, but like now I was/am in an uncomfortable position. I will say this, the source IS close enough to Pelletier to know if the sentiment is true or not, but I do not know the source well enough to know if the source is truthful or not.

WELCOME BACK CLACK! Go ahead with the "I told you so."

MAYBE time to clean house?? Not renew some schollie's. Those who regressed, let them walk--play DII or whatever. Would be sorry to lose Malachi the most, but fact is no offensive game what-so-ever. I love Rizzuto's hustle but his shooting %age makes him no more than a back-up, who may get a hot streak for a few minutes now and again. Keep Healy and Hutchinson REBUILD from there. Get a new assistant coach or two while we are at it.

Why do we get Grad Transfers that might be good "pieces" [Hansen, Miller {not even a piece},Foster] but can ever find an impact player? Hartford especially, but vermont, umbc, new hampshire and mass lowell have all gotten major contributors/starters off this program since it's inception?????

The excuses are gone. This team has FAILED. Maybe they will grit it out and win a first round game, coming out of the 5 or 6 seed. But they have not shown me anything to really make me hopeful about doing that. I suppose you can make an excuse for injuries but this team is no longer young. Clack (god bless him) and others have pointed out the lack of player development. They are 100% correct. I do not have the expertise to say if this the fault of the coaches, bad recruiting or just players not developing mentally, physically, & athletically. But whatever the reason, something or someones (players & coaches) need to change next year. Keep doing the same things and you will keep getting the same things.

Not sure which middie getting beat the most. I kind of like using many of them, keep them fresh and also the new NON-TWO-WAY system may take some getting use to, especially for those accustomed to going two-way. I agree Siekerski has NOT been especially sharp either week, but he has been facing pretty potent attacks both weeks, and UA's D is definitely a work in progress. Been wondering about the health of Sands who looked very good in the St J's scrimmage, even if he only played late> Not sure why you feel the win was a gift. Thought UA played pretty well overall and if any thing I thought UA worked for their goals while quite a few of Drexel"s were gifts from UA errors. Also, Drexel solid team overall--lost to High Point by a late goal I believe. Some on IL thinking Drexel can be a factor in the caa.

Agree with 2018; especially disappointed with Piseno both yesterday and last week.

YES. This was absolutely the case. Especially late. At least twice in the fourth qtr with UA attacking north, UA players lost perfect passes. In one instance, I think it was #15 or 16, he actually ducked to avoid being hit right in the head almost in front of the UA bench. My friend turned to me and asked doesn't UA practice on this field and why send a long pass in that direction? All I could say was, sometimes that is just where the clear develops. Also, don't really know if the team practices @ Casey or Fallen and also time of day??

Like I said in another post: Give FRENCH a shot. Can't do any worse (at least offensively) than what we've been getting all year.